Apple today released a new support document, detailing the issue behind the recent problems some iOS 6 users have been experiencing with FaceTime. According to Apple, a bug resulting from an expired device certificate has rendered FaceTime unusable on older versions of iOS and the only solution to the problem is to update to the latest version of the operating system.

Devices capable of running iOS 7 must be upgraded to iOS 7.0.4 or later, while devices unable to run iOS 7, such as the fourth-generation iPod touch, must upgrade to iOS 6.1.6.

Quote:

If you started to have issues making or receiving FaceTime calls after April 16, 2014, your device or your friend's device may have encountered a bug resulting from a device certificate that expired on that date. Updating both devices to the latest software will resolve this issue.

If you're using iOS 7.0.4 or later or iOS 6.1.6, this issue doesn't affect you.

If you're using these versions of OS X or FaceTime for Mac, this issue doesn't affect you:

While FaceTime does work with iOS 6.1.6, that particular update is not available to recent devices that are able to run iOS 7, which means iOS 6 users with newer devices who wish to access FaceTime must upgrade to iOS 7.

There's a sizable contingent of iOS users who opted to stick with iOS 6 over iOS 7 due to the drastic visual changes introduced with the operating system update, so Apple's upgrade suggestion is likely to be unpopular with those users.

Apple's FaceTime issues first began on April 16, with many iOS 6 users reporting an inability to use the service. At that time, it was unclear whether Apple would implement a fix, but customer service representatives have been presenting iOS 7 updates as a solution since the problem was first uncovered, and it appears that Apple does not plan to offer another solution. The company did, however, release a FaceTime update for OS X users to fix the issue earlier this week.

If your devices can't be upgraded to iOS 7, chances are it doesn't support FaceTime anyway because there's no front facing cam, or at least this is true for the 3GS. So Apple is pretty much just telling you to update to iOS 7.

On one hand, people should just upgrade. On the other hand, Apple actually killed a functionality that your phone originally came with and you paid for. There could be a class action lawsuit here.

I'll admit I didn't like the new iOS 7 icons at first, but there are really so many advantages that I think upgrading is worth it. I haven't run iOS 7 on the iPhone 4 though, but I know there are some performance issues. I think iOS 7 runs great on my 4S and 5s.

Either way Apple would avoid a lot of complaints if they could get FaceTime working in older iOS 6 versions again.

Can't create free software that's actually good enough to compel people to voluntarily upgrade to? Solution: Break the version they stayed with.

A big F U right from Apple's own mouth. When was the last time that Apple so directly disrespected its customers? I'm struggling to recall their service ever being so poor. Just offer the fix you created to iOS 6!